‘Crossing the finish line will live with me forever’: Rob Burrow reflects on emotional end to Leeds Marathon as former team-mate Kevin Sinfield pledges to raise money for MND charities for ‘ ‘the rest of my life’
Former rugby league star Rob Burrow has reflected on the emotional end to the Leeds Marathon on Sunday, after it was crossed the finish line by former Leeds Rhinos team-mate Kevin Sinfield.
The couple were raising money for motor neuron disease (MND) charities and using a specially adapted chair to join 12,500 other runners.
Sinfield pushed Burrow onto the course of the inaugural Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, before lifting him from the wheelchair and carrying him across the finish line.
Burrow, 40, and Sinfield, 42, were asked about the emotional end to the event this morning and the money that was raised for MND charities.
“The marathon was one of the biggest and most special events I’ve run and meant so much to so many people,” Burrow said, aided by technology to help her communicate.
Kevin Sinfield carried Rob Burrow to the finish line of the Leeds Marathon on Sunday
Burrow said the emotional moment with his former teammate will stay with him forever
Burrow and Sinfield said they were blown away by the funds raised for MND
“But for me it was about friendship and crossing the finish line with my mate Kev will live with me forever and it created a platform to raise funds and awareness for MND charities, and I hope the next one will be as memorable.
“I have been blown away by the amount of money that has been raised and the support that I have received since my diagnosis three years ago.
“There are so many nice people and I have a lot of love for them, I had to ask MND to see how many wonderful people there are and how much people care about me.
“I’m a positive person who lives life to the fullest and that really helps me in my fight against MND.”
Sinfield has raised over £8million for MND charities since his friend and former Leeds Rhinos team-mate Burrow was diagnosed at the end of 2019.
The England Rugby Union coach has already completed an Ultra 7 in 7 challenge in November when he ran seven consecutive ultra-marathons.
Over £4million in charitable donations were raised on the day of the marathon, as well as the Leeds Half Marathon.
Burrow’s wife Lindsey raised over £97,000 by completing her first marathon of the day.
Sinfield has raised over £8m for charity since Burrow was diagnosed with MND in 2019
Burrow’s wife Lindsey raised more than £97,000 by completing her first marathon on Sunday
Sinfield said the arrival was a “beautiful moment” in their friendship and vowed to continue raising funds to support MND charities for the rest of his life.
“It was an amazing day to raise funds,” Sinfield said.
“12,500 people ran in Rob’s name and the first time we were able to have a big event together and were brought together under the banner of friendship, and it was a brilliant day.”
“It was a beautiful moment, certainly for me, and I hope Rob feels the same.
“We had some amazing times on the pitch together and they were really important in our friendship, but really tough times, but to do it together was awesome.
“I will continue to fundraise for MND for the rest of my life. I’m passionate about it, I’m into it.
“It’s a big part of who I am now. Let it be a little more private and behind the scenes, but it’s going to continue. I’d like to think we’d go back.
